Tuscaloosa County Commission to offer afternoon meetings

The Tuscaloosa County Commission will — for the next six months — offer both a morning and a late afternoon meeting each month in an attempt to make the meetings more accessible to the public.

Robert Sutton | Tuscaloosa News

By Lydia Seabol AvantStaff Writer

Published: Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 1:28 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 1:28 p.m.

The Tuscaloosa County Commission will — for the next six months — offer both a morning and a late afternoon meeting each month in an attempt to make the meetings more accessible to the public.

For at least a decade, the commission meetings have been held at 9 a.m. on the first and third Wednesday of the month. But, for a trial period, the commission will have an afternoon meeting at 4 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month.

“We will try it and see if it works out ok,” Commissioner Bobby Miller said.

Originally a night meeting had been considered, but it would mean overtime for county employees and would require keeping the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse open after hours, Miller said.

The County Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to change the meetings for the next six months. The new Commission, which included newly elected members Stan Acker for District 1 and Jerry Tingle for District 2, also discussed televising the meetings.

“I think at some point in time we need to look at how we can televise county commission meetings, so we can have a more informed community,” Commissioner Reginald Murray said.

Both the Tuscaloosa City Council and the Northport City Council have televised meetings.

“I think it’s a good idea, we need to look into it and see what the cost is,” Miller added.

During Wednesday’s meeting, Murray suggested the Commission offer more detailed agendas so that county business is clearer to the public.

“Our agenda is not as detailed and I think we need to look into a process that is more open,” Murray said.

Acker recommended that the county adopt Robert’s Rules of Order, where the commission considers items after a first and second reading, and only vote on items after it’s been discussed during two meetings.

Both the Tuscaloosa and Northport city councils operate their meetings that way, Acker pointed out.

“It allows items to be held for the public and the Commission to review it before voting,” Acker said.

Currently, items are often presented to the Commission and voted on immediately, with little public notice ahead of time.

During the meeting, Tingle said that changing the process could make things more complicated.

“I’ve been through this before, and giving the public that much more information will tie you up,” Tingle said. “You’ll get a lot of calls. I would like to keep it simple moving forward.”

Miller requested that the Commission have more time to discuss and consider any agenda changes.

Televising meetings and changes to the agenda will be discussed at the next Commission meeting on Dec. 5.

<p>The Tuscaloosa County Commission will — for the next six months — offer both a morning and a late afternoon meeting each month in an attempt to make the meetings more accessible to the public. </p><p>For at least a decade, the commission meetings have been held at 9 a.m. on the first and third Wednesday of the month. But, for a trial period, the commission will have an afternoon meeting at 4 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month. </p><p>“We will try it and see if it works out ok,” Commissioner Bobby Miller said. </p><p>Originally a night meeting had been considered, but it would mean overtime for county employees and would require keeping the Tuscaloosa County Courthouse open after hours, Miller said. </p><p>The County Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to change the meetings for the next six months. The new Commission, which included newly elected members Stan Acker for District 1 and Jerry Tingle for District 2, also discussed televising the meetings. </p><p>“I think at some point in time we need to look at how we can televise county commission meetings, so we can have a more informed community,” Commissioner Reginald Murray said. </p><p>Both the Tuscaloosa City Council and the Northport City Council have televised meetings. </p><p>“I think it's a good idea, we need to look into it and see what the cost is,” Miller added. </p><p>During Wednesday's meeting, Murray suggested the Commission offer more detailed agendas so that county business is clearer to the public. </p><p>“Our agenda is not as detailed and I think we need to look into a process that is more open,” Murray said. </p><p>Acker recommended that the county adopt Robert's Rules of Order, where the commission considers items after a first and second reading, and only vote on items after it's been discussed during two meetings. </p><p>Both the Tuscaloosa and Northport city councils operate their meetings that way, Acker pointed out. </p><p>“It allows items to be held for the public and the Commission to review it before voting,” Acker said. </p><p>Currently, items are often presented to the Commission and voted on immediately, with little public notice ahead of time. </p><p>During the meeting, Tingle said that changing the process could make things more complicated. </p><p>“I've been through this before, and giving the public that much more information will tie you up,” Tingle said. “You'll get a lot of calls. I would like to keep it simple moving forward.”</p><p>Miller requested that the Commission have more time to discuss and consider any agenda changes. </p><p>Televising meetings and changes to the agenda will be discussed at the next Commission meeting on Dec. 5. </p><p><i>Reach Lydia Seabol Avant at 205-722-0222 or lydia.seabolavant@tuscaloosanews.com.</i></p>